Discharge mechanism for concrete mixers



April 10, 1928. 1,665,517

G. E. WEBB DISCHARGE MECHANISM FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed March 27. 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 10, 1928.

G. E. WEBB DISCHARGE MECHANISM FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed March 27. 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 10, 1928.

G. E. WEBB DISCHARGE MECHANISM FOR CONCRETE MIXERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 27. 1926 April 10, 1928. 1,665,517

. G. E. WEBB DISCHARGE MECHANISM FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed March 27. 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Tisfi.

April 10, 1928.

G. E. WEBB DISCHARGE MECHANISM FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed March 27. 1 2 5 Sheets-$heet 5 glww/ntoz 5E. Webb Patented AIMS 10, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. WEBB, MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO. KOEHRING COMPANY,

OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION.

DISCHARGE MECHANISM 'FOR'CONCRETE MIXEBS.

Application filed March 27, 1928. Serial No. 97,962.

The present invention appe'rtains to concrete mixing machines and especially takes into consideration the large types of such machines which are at present being put into common use, the invention involving primarily a special novel design of discharge means for such mixing machines. Where concrete mixers are of large capacity the aggregates handled thereby are very heavy and it is at present common to employ considerable power for the operation of the discharge chute ordinarily used for emptying the mixing drum. Such power is needed because the weight of thegravitating aggregates in the drum is so great that in large type mixers manual power cannot be used for manipu lating the discharge chute to render it operative for its purposes. The foregoing is exceptionally truewhen the discharge chute is a part of the mixing function of the machine and acts as a mixing element upon which the gravitating aggregates drop and are returned to the receiving end of the mixer.

The present invention has been evolved with a view primarily to utilizing the graviping of the aggregates while mixing to assist by impact action upon the discharge chute, the actual operation of said chute. To

JGI

this end, I use a special construction of chute designed to avail of the impact action of the aggregates during their descent while being agitated, whereby the power necessary actuate the chute mechanism is relatively sma This invention also involves certain con trol and operating mechanism for applying whether or not the actionof the chute is assisted by the impact of the concrete aggregates in the process of mixing them in the mixing drum.

Supplemental to the foregoing, the present invention furthermore, includes certain novel mechanism for effecting the movements of the discharge chute for placing the same in a discharging or non-discharging. position, under control of a batchmeter as customarily used in conjunction with a concrete mixing" machine. I I

,tures of construction.

The invention in another phase thereof, may be said to comprisenovel means whereby a discharge chute of the revolving, or

sume proper operative positions to perform its various functions.

In the accompanying drawings, there are shown typical constructions illustrating certain adaptations of themvention, for the purposes above outlined. In these drawin {he figures may be briefly described as fo ows:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view'of a concrete mixing machine embodying the invention, and the same may be of a stationary or portable type.

Figure 2 ma side view of the machine, a portion of the mixing drum broken away to show more clearly the arrangement of the.

discharge chute.- N

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the discharge chute alone.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view through the body of the discharge chute showing more clearly the formation of the impact members or' wings carried thereby.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating more clearly how the falling concrete atggregates are caused to act with their impac forces upon the chute during the revolution of the drum 'so as to tend to operate the chute in a revolving manner. I

Figure 6 is an enlarged view showing more clearly the mounting of the discharge chute upon the frame, certain parts being illustrated in section to bring out detail fea- Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating more clearly the, supporting rollers engaging the annular race surrounding the chute and assisting to support the latter in its rotary turning movement.

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view bringing out more clearly the engagin dog and trip lever parts of the control mec anism by which the power is caused to be a plied to the chute for turning the same mm the drum.

Figure 9 is a side view'showing particularly the parts illustrated in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a view partially illustrating the chute flange in elevation, and showing previously actuating and restoring slides assembled in their cooperative ositlon.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, it will be noted that I provide a base frame 1 and a vertical frame 2 upon and in which the mixing drum 3 of my mixing machine is mounted. Said drum is supported upon rollers 4 as usual and is equipped 'with ring I gears 5 engaged by spur gears 6 that rotate under power transmltted from a suitable en- 'ne and thereby drive thedrum 1n the nown manner. M discharge chute mounting is best shown in Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7,-

from which it will be observed that the chute is designated 7 and is adapted to revolve by reason of the provision of supporting means shortly to beset forth. The chute 7 com rises important construction including a ody equipped at its sides with oppositely extending impact wings or sides 8, and also oppositely extending flanges 9, one flange extendin opposite to each'wing and forming with t e. win at the same side of the chute body a sort 0 trough-likeehute formation.

The angularity of the formation of the impact sides or wings 8 projecting from they of the chute 7 is such that as the drum 3 revolves and carries upwardly by its mixing buckets and mixes the contents thereof, comprising concrete aggregates, the said aggregates as they gravitate from the elevating buckets and blades are caused to strike against the inner face of the wing or side 8 which is uppermost according to the adjustment of the chute. The wing or side 8 of the chute may be said to be eccentric respectingl the axis of the drum and on this account t e impacting forces received by 'the particular wing or side 8 which is uppermost have a tendency to impart rotary move ment to the chute 7. Of course, such movement may be resisted by maintaining the chute locked. However, on account of the culiar action of these impacting forces,

1t will be evident that they may be availed of as a source of power to be applied to the chute for turning it, when the turning movementis'de'sired or -r uired fprenabling the chute to assume a disc arge osition, or causing it to assume anon-disc urging position bein wherein it may constitute a mixing element.

. The body of the chute 7 inclines at a considerable an le to the axis of the drum so that obvious y when the chute is in the position of Figure 2 the aggregates falling thereon will be caused to be fedback to- 7 ward the receiving end of the drum, whereby the chute performs a re-mixing function. Or, when the chute is turned sufliciently to reverse the inclination of the same, as seen in Figure 2, orassume the inclination in l portion of said body. Additionally, the a chute 7 is equipped with an outstanding flange 11, a portion of which is outwardly and upwardly inclined as shown at 11 to provide a race way against which bearing anti-friction and supporting rollers 12 en- 9 gage and operate. Two of the rollers 12 are preferably used and they are arranged beneath the flange 11 at spaced points below the horizontal axis of rotation of the chute.

The rollers 12 are carried. by journal mem- 9 bers 13 which have bearings in suitable brackets 14 attached to the framework 2 of the machine.

The said horizontal 'axis of the chute 7 comprises a pivot member 15 seen best in 1 Figure 6 as en aged with a projection 7. on the body of t e chute, said pivot member brac et 16 having a rocking pivot connection at 17 with pivot ln s 18 that project up- 1 wardly from a base p ate 19 carried by a cross channel 20 secured in a substantial manner to the framework 2.- The arrangement of the bearing rollers 12'and theaxial pivot member 15 which su port the chute 1 rotation permits of a s i ht rocking or fioatin movement of the chute upon the rocker caring pin 17 as an axis.

The formation of the annular flange 10 or disc-like projection 10 of the chute is 1i such that this member, together with the body proper of the chute forms a .closure for the discharge end of the mixing drum 3 which closure is operated when the chute 7 is in non-dischar ing position, that is, in-

clined 'downwar ly and inwardly in the drum 3. When the chute 7 is revolved so that its body assumes the opposite inclination as shown in Figure 6, the said chute.

- provides an effective discharging area. or. opening through which the contents of the mixer may pass to the outer stationary discharge chute 21. The flange 11 is provided journaled in a rockable bearing emorrwith an outwardl projecting lip or exten sion 22 which has close fit connection with the outer stationary discharge chute'21 into which the contents of the drum 3 will pass in the rocess of discharging thesame therefromt irough the means of the chute 7.'

The chute -7 is provided at the flange 10 with an inwardly projecting flange portion 23 which actually, enters the drum discharge opening as seen in Figure 6. At the inner extremity of this flange 23, there may be secured in an annular groove surrounding the chute, a flexible ring or washer-like member 24 for closing the spacebetween the chute and the drum discharge opening. This. member 24 may bemade of rubber or some such material if. desired, though I do not wish to be be restricted .to a resilient Sllbr stance within the purview of this'invention. T e member is attached to the chute by suit:

, ab e fastenings 25.

Referring. now to Figures 10 to 14 inclu sive, in conjunction with Figures 8 and 9,

.I shall describe the control mechanism used by me for connecting the drum 3 intermittently, and either manual] or automatically as desired, with the chute in order to apply mechanical power thereto to supplement the power of the impact forces that may operate upon the win s 8 of the chute.- Or, should my chute 7 e constructed without such wings 8 the power feature now to be set forth will do the necessary in operating and restoring the chute sothat it may perform its several functions.

5 Figure l'sho'ws-mounted on' the frame 2, a batchmeter A of known construction such as disclosed for instance in Winkler Letters Patent #1,451,483 issued April 10th, 1923. This batchmeter is ordinarily controlled ine its action by the loading skip used to raise and charge concrete aggregates into the receiving end of the drum. 3.- The batchmeter operates to predetermine the amount of time required for properly mixing the aggregates in the drum 3 and involves actuating means to at such time permit the discharge of the contents of the drum. It suflices to state that said actuating means involves a shaft 27 having an arm 28,- see Figured, the arm 28 connected by arod 29 with an actuating slide 30, see Figures 10 to 14 inclusive. The

actuating slide 30 operates between the side flanges 31 of a restorin and control slide 32.

The slides '30 and 32 are mounted for vertical movement in a casing 33 provided for the control mechanism now described. At.

its-lower portion, the actuating slide 30 has a kick-oil dog 34 pressed outwards by the spring 35. The dog 34'is arranged to coact with "a roller carried by the ,lower end of a locking lever 36 pivoted at 37 in the casing 33 and normally actuated by a spring 38 to move the lowergend thereof with the roller aforesaid into engagement with said dog 34. The upper end of the lever 36 has a nose which normally engages a locking cam 39 on slide30, the function of which will appear fully hereinafter. lever 36 is formed with a locking lug. 40 cngageable by the locking arm 41 of a 00king lever or arm 42. The locking arm 42 is mounted on and fixed to a shaft 43 equipped with an upperfixed arm 44 and a lower fixed arm 45. A rod 46 is connected with the upper arm 44, and a handle 47 is connected with the lower arm 45.

The primary function of the locking lever 36 is to engage an abutment 48 on the lower portion of the restoring and control slide 32 and the purpose of the dog 34 is to kick the lower end of the lever 36 out of engage 'ment with the abutment 48 aforesaid. At

its inner side, the control slide 32 has a cam 32 adapted to ride in contact with a roller on theouter end of a push lever 49 p1votrock-able supporting lever 51 which is piv-. otedat 52"and equipped with a stop arm 53. A spring 54 is connected with the push" Onits outer side, the

ally mounted at 50 on the upper end of a lever .49 and normally tends to pull the same with the lever 51 outwardly to maintain the roller of lever 49 .in contact with the cam'32. The push lever 49 at its intermediate portion is equipped with a stop or limiting arm 55 which controls the extent of rocking movement of said lever upon its supporting lever 51; Above the lever 49 is located a spring 56, one end of which engages ,mounted in a suitable bearing 60 on the flange 10 of the chute 7. The trunnion 59 passes through the bearing 60 and has on its outer end a squared portion 61 that carries a trip lever 62, the parts 58, 59 and 62 being suitably assembled by the application of a; nut'63 to the threaded end of the trunnion 59. The lever 62 has a square opening fitting on the squareportion 61 of the trunnion so that the arts 58 and 62 rock together. On the trip, ever 62 is a. pin 64 operating in a slot 65' in the flange 10, affording a pin and slot movement pivoting arrangement for the parts 58 and 62.

The catch member.58 is adapted, when pushed toward the extended axis of movement of drum 3 by the push lever 49;, to engage, with anyone of a series of actuating lugs 65 that project outwardly from the head of the drum 3 in which is formed the discharge opening at which the chute 7 is.

drum 3 itself, and the catch 58 with flange 10 and chute 7 will rotate with drum 3 so 'long as said catch 58 remains in engagement with a lug 65. r

Mounted above the casing 33 and on a bracket carried thereby, is a restoring lever 66 one end of which is arranged in the path of travel of rollers 67 carried by the flange 10 of the chute 7. As a convenient method of mounting the rollers 67, I avail of thebearing members 60 in which the trunnions 59, see Figure 8, 'are mounted. The rollers 67 are journaled to turn about the parts 60 as journals therefor.

Carriedby the vertical member of the frame or frame work 2 is a stationary abutment pin 68 off-standing from a suitable bracket 69 and disposed in the circular path of -movement of the tail ends of the trip lever 62 that is to say when the said levers 62 assume the positions of the dotted lines of Figure 9, their tails move in a path intersecting the pin 68 and will be struck by the latter and forced inwardly to disengage the catch member 58 from the lugs 65 with which it happens to be engaged, thereby freeing the chute from the driving connection established with the drum 3.

In operation, it will be assumed that the I drum 3 is rotating in its normal condition of operation. While the drum is mixing the aggregates, the chute 7 is in the position of Figure 2. The batchmeter A has been previously set by the loading ski wise for aeontrol of the mixing operation. At the end of the proper mixin period, the batchmeter A operates and raises the rod 29. The actuating slide 30 is thus elevated causing its dog 34 to kick the lower end ofthe locking lever 36 from the abutment 48 of the control slide 32. The control slide 32 is immediately impelled upward by means of the spring 56. This results in the pushing out of the push lever 49 by the cam 32*, thereby moving the catch member 58' into the path of rotation of the adjacent lug 65 of the series of lugs on the drum 3. As the catch member 58 is carried by the chute flange 10, as soon as it engages the lug 65 of the drum,,the chute will be turned by the drum 3. The rotation of the chute will continue until it has been reversed, practically speaking, from the position of Figure 2 to its position of opposite inclination shown in Figure 6, "a turning of about 180 degrees. When said chute has made the stated onehalf revolution, the tail of the trip lever 62 will strike the abutment pin 68 on the frame 2 and the catch member 58 will thus be tripped out from its engagement with the lug 65 and the driving action of the drum 3 on the chute out off or discontinued. There are two of the catch members 58 employed with their trip levers 62 and they or otherpoints on the flange 10 in respect to t e axis of the chute.

of the chute is tripped torelease the chute from the drum 3, the opposite catch member 58 will approximately at, this moment of release strike a stop arm 70 mounted on the frame 2 somewhat opposite the abutment pin 68. A positive stopping of the rotation of the chute will thus be effected just as the same is released from the drum.

inter-engagement of the parts 58 and 79 is best shown in Figure 10, the catch member '58 having a shoulder portion 58 that abuts with the stop arm 70. This shoulder portion is disengaged from the member 70 whenever the-push'lever 49 acts in the manner previously stated. f

The chute 7' is then disposed in its dis-' charge position and locked there, free to.

remain stationary because of release from the drum. The contents of the drum 3 are then discharged by the chute 7 and the next requirement is to operate provided means for ward position at which time the push lever 49 has been pulled back by the spring 54 out of the path of movement of the catch member 58 as it comesaround with the flange 10. The actuating slide 30 will remain up however, until the batchmeter is reset by the loading skip on the next raising movement of the skip subsequent to that which performed the batchmeter setting function pre- Therefore when the catch, member 58 which has caused the turning The 1 viously referred to. With the parts so arranged, the operator of the machinecan readily restore the chute by pulling outwards on the handle 47, such'action again rocking the locking lever 36 out of engage me'nt with the abutment 48 of the control slide 32, the said slide 32 again belng im pelled upwardly under the action of the spring 56 and the pushlever 49 going through the operation previously set forth to again connect the chute flange 10 with the drum 3 and turn the chute another half revolution until it comes to a stop under the influence of the parts 58 and 70.- The chute will at this time have-resumed its original or nondischarge position. The reason the operator may move the handl 47 as stated is because the slide 30 is raised and held raised as previously mentioned, thereby elevating its cam abutment 39 placing the latter out of engagement with the upper end or nose of the locking lever 36 and permitting said lever 36 to be rocked by-the impingement of the arm 42 therewith at its outer side. When the batchmeter is reset and the actuating slide 30 is restored so that the chute is again placed under the controlofthe batchmeter, the abutment 39 will engage the lever 36 and prevent the operator from interfering with said control by moving the handle 47. Under these conditions, therefore, it is impossible for the operator to cause a rotation of the chute 7 before the batchmeter 1s connected up with the member 309' by a rod 29. 5

It will be obvious, however, that should it be desired to dispense with the batchmeter A entirely, this may be done by omitting the parts A, 27, 28, 29 and 30, and the control involved thereby, and dependsolel on the manual releasing of the control sli e 32 by the rocking of the locking lever 36 through movement of the handle 37.

If the batchmetercontrol mechanism just above referred to is .dispensed with, I may utilize the rod 36 and arm 44 as a means to be actuated by the loading skip of the mixer to release the control slide 32 and thereby connect the discharge chute with the mixer to turn the chute to a non-discharging position as a fresh batch of aggregates is charged into the mixer. Thereafter, a manual control action of the handle i7 may cause the discharge of the aggregates from the mixer in the manner previously stated. This general method of restoration to a non-discharging position of the. discharge chute is exemplified by Robb Letters Patent #1,370,497, issued March 1, 1921.

Reference ismade to Figures 7 and 8 which show that the trunnion member 59 carries a. resilient washer member which when the nut 63 and other adjacent parts are assembled, is tensioned to draw the friction ring 76 into enga ement with the concavity in the outer on of the bearing part 6O, and with the enlargement 58 on the catch member 58. In this way, friction between the parts prevents any loose movement of the members 62 and 58, and holds these parts in the positions to which they are moved by their cooperating members.

While my mechanism has been described with special reference to a rotary type of construction ofchute, it will be recognized that the invention is not limited in its application and advantages to such type of chute alone.

Again referring to the rotar chute or discharge device construction, I raw attention to the fact'that efiectively speaking, mydischarge device consists of the chute 7 having the discharge portion 7 and the mixing portion 7. The discharge device, of course, projects into the-mixing zone of the mixing drum 3 so that its impact members may be actuated by the agitated aggregates in the the use of a concrete-mixer when it is not desired to render discharge means operative upon the lapse of the mixing period I controlled by the batchmeter A. .This delay of action of the discharge is not harmful because the required time of mixing the aggregates has passed. It would be harmful, however, if it were possible for the operator to actuate the discharge chute or means before the lapse of the mixing period," but this kind of operation is "expressly provided against b my invention. Suppose it be desired to elay the operation of the discharge device beyond the mixing period controlled by the batchmcter A. In such event, the handle 47 is pushed inwardly to lock the lever 36 against movement through cooperation of the arm 41 therewith. When this is done, it will be apparent that when the batchmeter A opcrates, the actuating slide 30 is prevented from rising at the end of the mixing'period. Such action of preventing the upward movement of slide .30 is compensation by certain spring or resilient parts (not shown), in the batchmeter, and with which parts the slide 30 and its rod 29 are connected. When the time has arrived to permit the delayed setting of the discharge portion 7 in operative position the handle 47 may be. pulled outward to reiease the part 30 from the locking arm 41 and the slide 30 will then move upwards quickly, actuate the kick-ofl dog 34, and thus release the slide 32 from the lever 36. Theyslide 32 then immediately causes coupling of the chute 7 with the drum 3 and the turning of the chute to its discharging osition.

Matters 0 invention disclosed herein but not claimed, are claimed in my co-pending applications, one covering improvements in rotar discharge chutes for concrete mixers, led March 27, 1926, Serial No. 97,963,

.and the other covering improvements in concrete mixing machines, filed September 25th, 1926, Serial No. 137,665.

Having thus described my invention,what

I claini as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United, States, is

" 1. In a mixing machine, the combination ofla mrxmg drum, a rotatable dischar e' chute therefor mounted to move angular y coaxially with the axis of rotation of the drum, and means for operatively connecting drum, and means for establishing intermittent connection between the chute and the drum for transmitting the movement of the drum to the chute.

3. In a mixing machine, the combination of a rotating mixing drum provided with a discharge opening, a rotatable discharge chute cooperative with the dischar e opening, and means for connecting an disconnecting the discharge chute to the drum, so

' that it may be turned by the drum, and

' chute cooperatin of a rotating stopped.

'4. In a mixing machine, the combination of a mixing drum, a discharge chute therefor, and means for o eratively connecting the drum with the disc arge chute for actuation of the latter, said discharge chute being equip ed with means for receiving the impact orces of concrete aggregates mixed in the drum, said last means, under the-influence of said impact forces su plementing the connection of the chute with the drum, to move the chute. v

5. In a mixing machine, the combination of a rotating mixing drum provided with a discharge opening, a rotative discharge with the discharge openmg and means for connecting and disconnecting the discharge chute to the drum so that it maybe turned bythe drum, said chute having impact receivin members thereon arranged in the path 0 movementof the in the rum, whereby lmpact forces of saidaggre assistin turning the same.

avitating aggregates being mixed gates are transmitted to the chute to 6. In a mixing machine, the combination mixin drum having a discharge openlng, a discharge chute at said opening and movably mounted, said chute equipped with wing members arranged in the path of gates in the rum so as to receive the impact orces of said aggregates and tend to move the chute, and automatic means for positively turning the chute to supplement the action of,said impact forces.

,7. In a mixing machine, the combination of a rotating mixin drum having a discharge opemng, a discharge chute atsaid opemng and movably mounted, said chute equipped with wing members, arranged in the path of avitative'movement of aggretes in the rum so as to receive the impact orces of said aggregates and tend to turn the chute, and means for. sitively turnin the chute to supplement t e action of said impact forces, comprising mechamsm for the i avitative movement of aggre tive transmitting the rotative movement of the drumto the chute.

8. In a concrete mixing machine, in combination, a rotating drum having a discharge opening, a rotatable discharge chute at said opening and movable from an inwardly inclining positionto an' outwardly inclining position, and means .to connect said chute with the drum to transmit movement of the drum to the chute for reversing its inclination as stated. I

9 In a concrete mixing machine, in combination, a rotating drum having a discharge og ening,a discharge chute rotatably mounte at said opening and movable from an inwardly inclining position to an outwardly inclining position, and means to connect said chute with the drum to transmit movement of the drum to the chute for reversing its inclination as stated, and an axis member connected with the chute to provide means for holding the chute in operative position and about which it may rotate. 4

10. In a concrete mixing machine, in combination, a rotatin drum having a discharge opening, a discharge chute rotatably mounted at said opening and movable from an inwardly inclinin position to an outwardly inclining position, and means to connect said chute with the drum to transmit movement of the drum to the chute for reversing its inclination as stated, means con operative with said axis member tohold it in operative position. I

-11. In a concrete mixin machine, in combination, a rotating drum having a discharge opening, a discharge chute rotatably mounted at said opening and movable from an inward inclining position to an outwardly inclining position, and means to connect said chute with the drum to transmit movement of the drum to the chute for reversing its inclination as stated, means connected with the chute to provide an axis for holding the chute in operative position and about which it may rotate, supporting means cooperative with said axis member to hold it in operaosition, a rockable bearing member on whi said axis member is mounted and supporting means for said rockable bearing member.

12. In a mixing machine, in combination, a mixing drum, a rotatable discharge chute therefor having impact members, and means pact members for rotating the chute.

13. In a mixing machine, in combination,

a mixing drum, a discharge chute therefor having impact members, and means in the mixing drum for discharging concrete aggregates against the impact members of the chute for moving the latter from one position to another and automatic means for locking the chute against movement under the action of the impact members.

14. In a mixing machine, in combination, a mixing drum, a dischargechute therefor having impact members, and means in'the mixing drum for discharging concrete 'ag-- gregates against the impact members of the chute for moving the latter from one position to another and means for locking the chute against movement under the action of the impact-members, and common means for releasing the chute and for causing imparting thereto of mechanical force .to supplement the action of the impact members, for

movin the chute.

15. n a mixingmachine, in combination, a mixing. drum, a discharge dev ce therefor,

' a batchme t'er, control mechanism for connecting the discharge device with the drum to be actuated thereby, and means connecting the control mechanism with the batchmeter whereby a controlling relation is set up between the two by the batchmeter.

16. In a concrete mixing machine, in combination, a-rotary mixing drum, a discharge device for the drum, means for interconnecting the drum and the discharge device whereby the latter may,be operated from the drum, and a batchmeter operable to actuate the said interconnecting means.

17. In a concrete mixing machine, in combination, a rotating mixing drum, a rotating chute mounted to discharge the same, means for locking and releasing the chute and for connecting it with the drum to be actuated thereby, and batchmeter mechanism" actuating the last above mentioned means. v

18. In a mixing machine, in combination, a mixing drum, a discharge device therefor,

means for holding the discharge device against movement, means for releasing the discharge device for movement and automatic mechanism for simultaneously actuating the releasing means and applying power to the discharge device to move the latter to operative position.

19. In a mixing machine, in combination,

a mixing drum, a discharge device therefor,

means for holding that discharge device against movement, means for releasing the discharge device for movement and automatic mechanism for simultaneously actuating the releasing means and interconnecting the discharge device and the drum whereby movement is imparted to the discharge device from the drum, together with means for stopping the movement of the discharge device in relation to the drum and restoring the action of the lock means for said discharge device. a

20. In a concrete mixing machine, the combination of a mixing drum, a discharge chute therefor, movable to and from discharging position, a catch member on the discharge chute, an operating part on the .drum to 1 1 engage the catch member, and means to move the catch member into and out of positions for cooperation with said operating part on the drum.

21. In a concrete mixing machine, the

combination of a mixing drum, a discharge chute therefor, movable to and from discharging position, ,a catch member on the discharge chute, an operating part on the drum to engage the catch member, and means to move the catch member into and out ofpositions for cooperation with said operating part on the drum, comprising a push lever, and a control member for actuating the push lever to connect the catch member with the drum, and'means for disconnecting the catch member from the drum.

22. In a concrete mixing machine; the

combination of a mixing drum, a discharge chute therefor, movable to and from discharging position, a catch member on the discharge chute, an operating part on the drum to engage the catch member, and means to move the catch member into and out of positions for cooperation with said operating part on the drum, comprising a push lever,

"and a control member for actuating" the push lever to connect the catch member with the drum, and means for disconnecting the catch membersfrom the drum, and a batch? drum and discharge device comprising a catch member on the latter, an operating part on the drum to be engaged by the catch member, a push lever for forcing the catch member into engagement with said operating part, a control slide for actuating the push lever andmeans to disengage the catch member from the operating part of the drum, including a trip lever, and an abutment in the path of movement of the trip lever.

meter connected with the control member charge device therefor, means to connect the 25. In combination, a mixing drum, a dis charge device therefor, means to connect the drum and discharge device comprising a catch member on the latter, anoperating part on the drum to be engaged by the .catch member, a push lever for forcing the catch member into' engagement with said operating part, a control slide for actuating the push lever, and means to disengage the catch mem her from the operating part of the drum, in-

cluding a trip lever, and an abutment in the path of movement of the trip lever, and means on the discharge. device for restoring the controlpslide after it has actuated the push lever. I

26. In combination, a mixing drum, a discharge device therefor, means to connect the drum and discharge device comprising a catch member on the latter, an operating part on the drum to be engaged by the catch member, a push lever for a control slide for actuating the push lever and means to disengage the catch member from the operating part of the drum, including a trip lever, an abutment in the path of movement of the trip lever, means on the discharge device for restoring-the control slide after 1t has actuated the push lover, a batchmeter associated with mixing drum, a discharge device therefor,

batchmeter control means for causing the application of power to the discharge device for setting it in an operative position, and

means for simultaneously discontinuing the said application of power to the discharge device and stopping the same after it has reached the desired operative position, the power applying means comprising instrumentalities for directly connecting the drum "with the discharge device to actuate the latter. v i

29. In combination, a rotary concrete mixing drum, a discharge chute therefor, control means for connecting the drum with the chute formoving the chute to an operative position, batchmeter means for controlling the said control means, mani al means also controlling said control means, and interference means intermediate the batchmeter means and said manual means for preventing the' manual means from acting to control the control means under certain conditions. I p

30. In combinatlon, a rotary concrete mixing drum, a discharge chute therefor,

control means for connecting the drum with the chute for moving the chute to an operative position, batchmeter means for controlling the said control means, manual means also controlling said control means, and interference means intermediate the batchmeter means and said manual means for preventing the manual [means from acting to control the control means during the period when the batchmeter is predetermining the lapse of the mixing period of agitating the aggregates in the drum.

31. In combination, a rotary concrete mixing drum, a discharge chute therefor,

,control means for connecting the drum with the chute for moving the chute to an operative position, batchmeter means for controlling the saidcontrol means, manual means also controlling said control means, and interferencemean's intermediate the batchmeter means and said manual means for preventing the manual means from acting to control the control means during the period when the batchmeter is'predetermining the lapse of the mixing period of agitating the aggregates in the drum, and said last means including parts which upon operation of the batchmeter at the end of the mixing period render the control means operative by the manual means aforesaid.

32. In combination, a rotary concrete mixing drum, a discharge device therefor, means, for connecting the drum with the discharge device for actuation of the latter comprising a control mechanism, and manual means to set said control mechanism into action to connect the drum and discharge device and means to automatically disconnect the drum from the dischar e device and stop the operation of the disc arge device as influenced by the drum.

33. In concrete mixing apparatus, the

combination, with a mixing container, of a shiftable chute cooperating to assist in the mixing operation and also in the discharge of aggregates from the container, and mechanical power means for shifting the chute, the chute being shaped and, mounted for causing the aggregates to assist in the chute shifting operation. 4

34. In concrete mixing apparatus, the combination, with a rotary discharge opening, of a discharge and mixmixer having aing chute journalled to rotate at said opening, and an oscillatory support for the jour- 110.1 of the chute.

35'. In concrete mixing apparatus, the combination, with a mixing container, of a chute therefor shiftable 'to difierent itions, power means for shifting the c "ute,

and both automatic and manual means for controlling the power means, both the auto-.

controlling the power means, both the automatic and the manual means being capable of complete control of the power means, the automatic means being adapted to be rendered inactive and thereupon leave the manual means in control of the power means.

37. In concrete mixing apparatus, the combination, with a mixing container, of a chute therefor mounted to shift to different positions, and a mounting for the chute affordin floating movement thereof.

38. n concrete mixing apparatus, the combination, with a mixing container, of a chute therefor mounted to shift to different Eositions, a mounting for the chute affording oating movement thereof, and means bridging the area between the chute and contamer.

39. In concrete mixing apparatus, the combination, with a mixing container, of a chute therefor mounted to shift to different.

ositions, a mounting for the chute aiford ing floatin movement thereof, and resilient means bri ging the area between the chute and container.

40. In concrete mixing apparatus, the

combinatiomwith a mixing container, of a chute therefor, a rotatable support for the chute, an oscillatory support for the rotatable support, and means bridging the area between the chute and container.

41. In concrete mixing apparatus, the

, combination, with a mixing container, of a chute therefor, a rotatable support for the chute, an oscillatory support for the rotatable support, and a splash Elate surrounding the chute and bridging t e area between the chute and container.

42. In concrete mixing apparatus, the combination, with a mixing container, of a shiftable chute therefor, power means adapted to be connected to shift the chute, automatic means for effecting such connection,

and manual means for effecting such connection. v

43. In concrete mixing apparatus, the combination, with a mixing container, of a shiftable chute therefor, power means adapted to be connected to shift the chute, automatic means for efiecting such connection, manual means for effecting such connection, and means for preventing actuation of the manual means pending actuation by the automatic means.

44. In concrete mixing machines, the combination of a mixing drum, a discharge chute therefor mounted to move angularly substantially coaxiall with the axis of rotation of the drum,'and means for operatively connecting the drum to the chute for angularly moving the chute with the rotation of the drum.

In testimony whereof I afiix my si ature.

GEORGE E. BB. 

